Late last week, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) brought to a conclusion a series of one-on-one meetings with municipal councils throughout southeastern Manitoba. This is a key tour for the AMM, one they accomplish at least once every four years.
Normally these meetings happen face to face, but this year they were conducted virtually.
The meetings are an opportunity to identify the priorities of each municipality and gauge how the AMM can advocate on their behalf at the provincial level.
“During the discussions, several members raised concerns about the federal government’s proposed legislation regarding new firearms measures,” says AMM President Kam Blight. “The AMM will be raising these concerns with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) next week since any new measures should be based on a nationwide approach to improving public safety.”
The delegation included President Kam Blight, Vice-Presidents Brad Saluk and Chris Ewen (Mayor of Ritchot), Eastern District Directors Stan Toews and Melanie Parent, and Executive Director Denys Volkov.
“As the new provincial legislative session started this week, many vouncils expressed support for the AMM’s call for amendments to Bill 37,” says Stan Toews, Reeve of the RM of Hanover. “It is essential that the scope of appeals be clarified and mechanisms to mitigate frivolous appeals be developed to not delay municipal land use decisions.”
Bill 37 is the Province of Manitoba’s Planning Amendment Act, introduced last November to improve the efficiency and transparency of land use planning. It’s bill is the result of a review process that took place in 2019.
“Municipalities are also leaders when it comes to waste diversion and recycling,” says Melanie Parent, Councillor for the RM of Piney. “Our members welcomed the provincial review currently underway as it aims to modernize programming frameworks and supports to local communities.”
As part of the tour, the AMM met with the members of Niverville’s council, as well as the council of the RM of Taché. Other councils include the RMs of Alexander, East St. Paul, Piney, Springfield, St. Clements, Stuartburn, Victoria Beach, and the towns of Lac du Bonnet and Powerview-Pine Falls.
There are 137 municipalities in Manitoba, all of which are represented by the AMM.
